These last couple of weeks, the violence breaking out between Israelis and Palestinians has been in the forefront of the news. However, for the five Palestinian Saint Louis University students who are members of the Muslim Student Association, these events are more than just another example of political crisis and violence halfway around the world.
In light of the recent turn of events in the Middle East, the MSA sponsored a lecture Tuesday, Oct. 24, to educate members of the SLU community at large about the conflict.
Political science professor Dr. Jean-Robert Leguey-Feilleux, who specializes in the Middle East, discussed the most recent events in the area and his outlook for the future of the situation with an audience of approximately 40 SLU students.
Leguey-Feilleux described the two opposing perspectives. Palestinians living in camps do not see progress from the recent attempts at compromise. Despite recent movements toward peace, Leguey-Feilleux claims “Most Israelis still see Palestinians as bomb throwers and Arafat as a terrorist.”
On both sides, the strong distrust has accumulated over generations. Leguey-Feilleux explained, “It takes so little on the part of the radicals to destroy all the careful building up to some form of agreement that has taken place over the last couple of months.”
The prospect of peace in the region will now have to wait. Leguey-Feilleux explained that Israeli president Ehud Barak has plans to institute physical separation between the two peoples.
“The Palestinians cannot count on faithful support from the Arab World,” Leguey-Feilleux said, in light of the lack of action to break diplomatic relations with Israel at the recent summit of Arab nations.
“In other words, I am pessimistic. I don’t know what to suggest,” said Leguey-Feilleux. However, he does think that compromise is the only lasting solution to the conflict. He added, “The only thing that we can do is try to advocate reason.”
After Leguey-Feilleux fielded questions from the audience, members of the MSA distributed packets that included information concerning the situation’s historical background, the United State’s role, opinions from both the Jewish and Muslim perspectives and the MSA West Resolution about the issue.
MSA co-president Jabeen Ali was impressed by the student response and interest. “Leguey-Feilleux’s comments were very respectful. He made it a point not to lean to either the Palestinian or Israeli side.”
At the same time, however, Ali thought that the issue of U.S. presidential candidates’ plans to fund Israel were not discussed enough. “It seems as though giving more money ignores the root of the problem,” said Ali.
The MSA plans to organize a rally or protest concerning the Palestinian situation after November.
Their main project right now is to join other Muslim Student Associations across the nation in the National Day of Silence on November 11. This event will raise awareness of the effects of sanctions imposed on Iraq and call to have the sanctions lifted.
Events for the National Day of Silence will take place at the corner of Euclid Ave. and Maryland Ave. from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and are open to all.
